Inside My MAC Lipstick Collection

Creme d'nude, Freckletone, Hue, Shy Girl, Creme Cup, Angel, Speed Dial, Ever Hip, Costa Chic, Impassioned, Rebel, RiRi Woo

Creme d'nude, Freckletone, Hue, Shy Girl, Creme Cup, Angel, Speed Dial, Ever Hip, Costa Chic, Impassioned, Rebel, RiRi Woo

A girl can never have too many lipsticks... especially  MAC ones! Chic, classy and timeless, you can see how people get addicted to these lovelies. Currently, there’s 12 in my collection...

Creme’d Nude (Cremesheen) is my all time favourite nude. Described as a pale muted peachy beige, I know it’s a too concealer-like for some people, but for me it works. It’s soft and creamy and works a treat with a smoky eye or tanned skin. 

Freckletone (Lustre) is nude peach with a hint of  brown. Hardly exciting in the bullet, but on the lips transforms to a sultry caramel nude, plus it’s one of Beyonce’s favourites!  If it’s good enough for Queen Bey... Review and pics here. 

Hue (Glaze) is a soft pinky nude. OK, it isn’t a million miles away from crème cup, however it’s less pink and more nudey – probably somewhere between crème cup and crème d’nude. It does have a tendency to cling to dry lips, so I tend to swerve it unless I'm freshly scrubbed and moisturised. Full review here.

Shy Girl (Cremesheen) is a creamy peachy beige colour. It’s a great everyday shade.

Creme Cup (Cremesheen) One of my all time faves, Creme cup never fails! It's a blue toned baby pink, that suits my complexion perfectly. Similar to Angel, but without the lilac tint and slightly pinker than Hue. The cremesheen finish is so creamy and moisturising, yet surprisingly pigmented and long wearing.

Angel (Frost) My first ever MAC lipstick. Angel is a soft, rosy pink. It's not quite a milky pink like creme cup, but it comes close. It has lilac undertones and a very subtle micro-shimmer. How I used to cane this.

Speed Dial (Cremesheen) A medium blue toned pink with a lovely creamy glossy finish. 

Ever Hip (Cremesheen) Another of my all time favourites, sadly, it’s a limited edition shade. It’s the perfect mix of pink and coral. A lovely pop of colour all year round.

Costa Chic (Frost)A frosty bright coral with gorgeous pink tones – the kind of shade that looks great with a tan. Full review here.

Impassioned (Cremesheen) Described as an Amped-up fuchsia, Impassioned is special. It’s loud, but without being too in your face. It’s an instant pick me up... if you need to get glam in a hurry, this is your boy! Pics and review here.

Rebel (Satin) is a gorgeous berry shade. It looks very purple in the bullet, almost mulberry but once applied is more of a pinky/plumy/purple kinda shade. A perfect autumn/winter update if you fancy channeling your dark side. Review here.

RiRi Woo (Retro Matte) Basically Ruby Woo with a little RiRi twist. Reds have a tendency to wash me out but not this one. Sexy, cool and very matte. Pics and full review here.

Looking at my collection in all it's glory I've realised I need to stop buying nudes and pale pinks, at least for a little while. Time to mix it up! Next on my wish list are Patisserie and Plumful. MAC Lipsticks £15 (price rise alert) from MAC online here and Debenhams here. 

Fancy winning a MAC lipstick of your choice? There's still time to enter my MAC Lipstick giveaway, open until 14th November 2013 here.

Beauty Booty... The Best of Christmas Beauty Gifts

I’m not one of these people that starts Christmas shopping in August, in fact I’m not really a big Christmas fan full stop (don’t judge) BUT with so many gorgeous festive beauty gifts popping up I can’t resist jumping on the bandwagon. From glittery nail polishes to stunning skincare, you can’t go wrong with this beauty booty. And ladies, if you’d like to be on the receiving end, start dropping some hints, and fast!

Liz Earle Limited Edition Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser £19.50

Unwrap the gift of great skin with cult-classic Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. This limited edition 150ml bottle is contains more buck for your plus it comes with two muslim cloths in a cute drum. Plus, get free delivery until the end of October online at Liz Earle here.

Benefit Little Love Potions £29.50

Packed with benefit bestsellers, this gift set is worth a staggering £73.85... No wonder it’s selling fast. Currently sold out online at Boots but available at Debenhams here and Feel Unique here.

Nails Inc Polish Diary £42 Worth over £138

Now this is my kinda diary, a new hue for every month of the year, YES PLEASE. Containing 12 full size polishes, including new trend shades and never before seen special effects, you'll be on trend and boasting salon perfect nails all year round. Available from HQ Hair and Feel Unique.

Caudalie Hand Cream Trio Set £12

Keep your hands touchably soft and supple with the Caudalie Hand Cream Trio Set. Formulated with 98% natural origin ingredients and enriched with grape seed oil to provide your skin with intense nourishment. Includes: Grapevine Honey, Blackcurrant Leaf and Pink Grapefruit – yum! Available at Lookfantastic here.

Lush Snow Fairy from £3.50 - here

It’s back and it’s bigger than before! Bursting with fruit fragrance and sparkling ice, Snow Fairy has gained quite the cult following, despite Lush's incredulity. I got this last year and fell in love. Sadly, it's only available at Christmas so stock up! £3.50/100g, £6.85/250g and £10.95/500g.

OPI Fit to be Tied Duo £18.55 - here

Paint on and party!  This stylish duo contains Russian Navy, a deep indigo and Polka.com, a Blue and violet glitter. Containing full size 15ml bottles

Lancôme Hypnôse Drama & Vernis Gift Set £30

Lancôme’s stepping up their game this year with mascara sets that include sexy nail polishes, lip glosses and eyeliners... everything you need for the festive party season! Available from John Lewis here.

Nars Adult Content Palette £30 - here

Okay I'm having serious blush envy! Play up cheekbones with a shimmering color pop, lavish them with a layer of lustrous highlight or smolder with a sophisticated sculpted look. Palette features four iconic NARS Blush and Highlighting Blush shades: Zen, Miss Liberty, Desire, D**p Throat. Asos here.

See anything you like?

MAC Lipstick Giveaway... and you choose which one!

It’s giveaway time ladies and what better to give you than a MAC lipstick... of your choice!

All you have to do is leave a blog post comment telling me your all time favourite MAC lipstick and which one you’d like to win in the giveaway* (they don’t have to be the same) AND follow me through Google Friends Connect (links on the right). You can earn extra entries if you follow me on Twitter and Bloglovin too. Simples.

I think my all time favourite is Creme Cup, although Ever Hip and Impassioned come close.... clearly I’m a cremesheen kinda gal.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for following me and good luck!

*must be from the permanent collection, RiRi Woo pictured for illustration purposes only

I Ain't Saying she's a Gold Digga.... Well maybe a Sleek Glo one

I’ve been eyeing up Sleek’s Glo palettes for far too long now – what is it with their stock levels? Note to Sleek: We can’t buy it if you don’t stock it.... It was like Rose Gold all over again, but finally I tracked one down. 

Sleek Glo is a multi-colour highlighter that features five strips of colour to create an illuminated look (ala Bobbi Brown shimmer brick). Available in three shades Peach Shimmer, Bronze Baby and Gold Digga. It was a toss up between Bronze Baby and Gold Digga. In the end I decided Bronze Baby was too shimmery and Gold Digga packed more of a punch in the pigment department.

The "brick" consists of shimmering caramels, browns, bronze and mauve, whirled together they create a gorgeous bronzey brown shimmer. When I said it packed a punch in the pigment department , I wasn’t kidding. It’s quite dark and has a very good colour pay off from just one sweep. As we say up north “gan canny”! It would be really easy to over the top with the dark caramel hues. Gold Digga is more suited to medium to dark skintones. I purchased this soon after holiday. It’s a wonderful tan enhancer and is a definite shoe in for future summer holiday makeup. The powder is finely-milled, soft, smooth and silky without being powdery. It has a delicate shimmer without being glittery and a nice frosted finish.

Sadly it’s a little lacking in the highlight department, it could be more accurately described as a shimmering bronzer and it’s not as stunning as Bobbi’s famous bricks, but at this price point it’s a pretty fabulous product.

Glo £6.49 Sleek online here and Superdrug here.

Le Volume de Chanel... Holy Grail Mascara

This isn’t a mascara, it’s a magic wand.

Yes it’s Chanel, we expect the best, but oh does this sexy little black number deliver! The packaging is of course sleek and sexy – the iconic interlocking “Cs” have that effect, but it’s not a case of style over substance....

Formula: A blend of inky pigments and natural waxes fasten on to lashes making them look twice as thick, protecting and holding them in a curled position, almost like hair tongs. The quick-drying formula stays picture perfect all day without a hint of smudge.

Brush: It’s so sophisticated it’s been patented! The science behind it, I’m not entirely sure of, but something to do with snowflake-shaped discs that are stacked and positioned perfectly along the wand. The formula sits between the discs’ points so when the long, stiff bristles grab onto each lash, formula is deposited evenly along the shaft, while shorter bristles separate lashes for a clean finish.

Use: The solid wand is so easy to use – no fiddly, flexi heads to contend with. It’s substantial and gets the job done. It’s a one coater that’s for sure, no need to keep going back in with this one. It coats lashes generously, scooping them up the new lengths. The pictures below show one quick coat but if you want the false lash effect you'd definitely get it with a touch more build up.

Results: Instant volume and intense curves from the first stroke with longer, plumper, thicker, glossy lashes. Jet black, bold, yet elegant!

I think I’ve found my holy grail mascara. Sadly it doesn’t come cheap. Retailing for £24, (I picked mine up in duty free for £20) I’ll probably reserve it for nights out and times I need to shine... my secret weapon!

Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Mascara £24 Debenhams here and Boots here. You tempted?

WOW It's MAC Christmas/Holiday Collection 2013

Brace yourselves ladies, this is a big one!

Of all MAC’s collections, none are more exciting to me than their glamtastic holiday bonanza collections. This holiday (that’s Christmas to us Brits) MAC launches a whopping three makeup collections.... Divine Night, Stroke of Midnight and the Nocturnals Collection.

MAC Divine Night Collection

What happens at night stays there. MAC captures the moment when flashing lights illuminate a flair for finery and limitless luxury that can only be described as divine. Gorgeous colours in rich finishes inspire an evening on the scene and to be seen. Enjoy yourself - past midnight, the darkness keeps the secrets. Check out the stunning limited edition lipsticks with sleek gold and black casing - sexy!

 

Mineralize Eyeshadow

Captivating – Bright white gold base / deep gold (Frost)

Exquisite Ego – Bronze base / soft white champagne (Frost)

Gilded Night – Bright gold wth silver pearl base / black with pearl (Frost)

Past Midnight – Blackish purple with violet pearl base / soft white pink frost (Frost)

Until Dawn – Soft gold base / purple taupe (Frost)

Tonight’s Temptation – Black with pearl base / royal blue (Frost)

Fluidline

Deliciously Rich – Shimmering dirty taupe (Repromote)

Macroviolet – Deep smoked violet with red pearl (Permanent)

Stares & Speculation – Dirty olive with gold pearl

Kohl Power Eye Pencil

Orpheus – Intense black with gold pearl

Raven – Intense black with red pearl

Mystery – Intense black with green pearl

Feline – Intense black with black pearl (Permanent)

Mineralize Blush

Talk of the Town – Warm brown base with yellow bronze (Satin)

Lured to Love – Coral pink base with pink frost (Satin)

Lavish Living – Violet with silver pearl base with gold pearl (Satin)

Mineralize Skinfinish

Centre of Attention – Pastel peachy pink with fine pink shimmer / 24 carat gold shimmer

Perfectly Poised – Bronzy coral with golden tones / creamy beige with pinkish purple sheen

Scene to be Seen – Mauve with pink sheen / brick rose with gold reflects

Lipstick

You’ve Got It – Pink undertone with gold frost (Frost)

Flair for Finery – Cool pink nude (Lustre)

Exclusive Event – Taupe brown (Satin)

Private Party – Dirty plum mauve (Satin)

Prepare for Pleasure – Clean magenta red (Cremesheen)

Cremesheen Glass

You’ve Got It – Nude taupe with green pearl

Flair for Finery – Cool nude

Private Party – Plum mauve with pearl

Prepare for Pleasure – Bluish red

Nail Lacquer

Fierce Entrance – Rich gold bronze (Velvet)

Military – Black matte with silver suede pearl (Frost)

Gadabout Girl – Blackened plum (Cream) (Repromote)

MAC Stroke of Midnight Collection

For all those devoted to life from dusk to dawn. After-dark glamour comes in mini kits for seductive spirits seeking nocturnal pleasures. Lavish eye, lip and cheek sets evoke the intoxicating essence of evenings out, in glossy black boxes embellished in white and gold.

Now this collection is huge so I won’t include all the pics, just my favourites....

Stroke of Midnight Lip Bag/Nude

Softly Lit Soft beige with pink frost (Cremesheen Glass) •Creme d’Nude Pale muted peach beige (Cremesheen) (Lipstick) (Permanent) • Boldly Bare Dirty red brown (Lip Pencil) (Repromote)

Stroke of Midnight Lip Bag/Violet

Art of Seduction Cool nude with gold frost (Cremesheen Glass) • Dark Deed Darkened blood red (Amplified) (Lipstick) (Repromote) • Vino Intense violet purple (Lip Pencil) (Permanent)

Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag/Nude

Utterly Becoming Cremy beige (Paint Pot) • In Extreme Dimension Lash Black (Mascara) (Permanent) • Past Twilight Blackened plum (Fluidline) •  209 Eyeliner/239 Eye Shader Double-ended brush

Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag/Gold

Genuine Treasure Reflects antique gold (Paint Pot) (Repromote) • In Extreme Dimension Lash Black (Mascara) (Permanent) • Blitz & Glitz Intense black with gold pearl (Fluidline) (Permanent) • 209 Eyeliner/239 Eye Shader Double-ended brush

Stroke of Midnight Eye Bag/Violet

Frozen Violet Frosted purple silver (Paint Pot) (Permanent) • In Extreme Dimension Lash Black (Mascara) (Permanent) • Blacktrack Solid flat black (Fluidline) (Permanent) • 209 Eyeliner/239 Eye Shader Double-ended brush

Stroke of Midnight Brush Kit/Mineralize

•287SE Duo-Fibre Eyeshadow Brush •268SE Duo-Fibre Tapered Blending Brush •159SE Duo-Fibre Blush Brush •187SE Duo-Fibre Face Brush

Stroke of Midnight Brush Kit/Essentials

•217SE Blending Brush •239SE Eyeshader Brush •212SE Flat Definer Brush •193SE Angled Foundation Brush •168SE Large Angled Contour Brush

Stroke of Midnight Brush Kit/Smoky Eye

•211SE Pointed Liner Brush •266SE Small Angle Brush •214SE Short Shader Brush •219SE Pencil Brush •227SE Large Fluff Brush

Stroke of Midnight Eyes/Cool

•Fair Sex Light frosted pink (Frost) •Deception Frosty golden brown (Frost) •Romance Me Warm plum with gold pearl (Lustre) (Repromote) •Shadowy Lady Blackened plum (Matte) (Permanent) •Frisco Soft pastel pink (Matte)

Stroke of Midnight Eyes/Warm

•Femme-fi Frosty golden cream (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote) •Amber Lights Peachy brown with shimmer (Frost) (Permanent) •Socialite Warm copper (Satin) •Mulch Red-brown with bronze pearl (Velvet) (Permanent) •Midnight Hour Warm blackened plum (Velvet)

Stroke of Midnight Eyes/Smoky –

•Chillproof Frosty white (Frost) •Retrospeck Beached blonde (Lustre) (Permanent) •Gaelic Gold Metallic gold (Veluxe Pearl) (Repromote) •Well Put Together Black with gold frost (Velvet) •Carbon Intense black (Matte) (Permanent)

Stroke of Midnight Face Palette/Cool

•Scene Muted blue-grey (Satin) (Eyeshadow) (Permanent) •All Races Cool light mauve taupe (Matte) (Eyeshadow) (Repromote) •Magic Moor Rich blackened plum with pearl (Veluxe Pearl) (Eyeshadow) (Repromote) •Sparkling Rose Soft pink with gold frost (Iridescent Pressed Powder) •Ebony Intense black (Eye Kohl) •Sublime Pleasure Soft mauve cream (Lustre) (Lipstick) •Romantically Inclined Cool plum cream (Cremesheen) (Lipstick)

Stroke of Midnight Face Palette/Warm

•Tenderly Soft warm pink with frost (Frost) (Eyeshadow) •Showstopper Deep blackened brown (Matte) (Eyeshadow) (Repromote) •After Dusk Mid-tone rosy pink with pearl (Veluxe Pearl) (Eyeshadow) •Golden Muted golden tan-beige with shimmer (Bronzing Powder) (Permanent) •Coffee Intense bronze (Eye Kohl) (Permanent) •Myself Light dirty mauve with traveling pearl (Lustre) (Lipstick) •Love Talk Mid-tone cool nude (Cremesheen) (Lipstick)

Stroke of Midnight/Viva Glamorous

•Viva Glam I Intense brownish blue-red (Matte) (Lipstick) •Viva Glam I Intense brownish blue-red (Lipglass)

Stroke of Midnight Lip and Cheek Bag/Coral

•Margin Peach with golden shimmer (Blush) (Permanent) •Night to Remember Warm red frost (Cremesheen) (Lipstick) •Pure Sophistication Gold frost (Lipglass) •129SE Powder/Blush Brush •Slim Mirror Mirror

Stroke of Midnight/Grooming Kit

•Slim Mirror Mirror •Duo Lash Comb/Brow Brush Dual-ended brush •Manicure File Nail file •Tweezers/Slant Slanted tweezers

MAC Nocturnals Collection

M·A·C Nocturnals Pigments and Glitter features five convenient jars, giving you smoky eyes in three scintillating shade waves. Nocturnals Lip Gloss provides high-impact colour in three sumptuous shades of coral, pink and nude. With just a whisper of polish for your pout, Nocturnals Tastitints condition in barely-there shades and four different flavours: peppermint, vanilla, lavender and guava.

Nocturnals Lipgloss/Nude

•Boy Bait – Light neutral beige with pearl (Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent) •Overindulgence – Neutral brown (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Richly Revered – Vampy blue red (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Phiff! – Light beige nude (Dazzleglass) (Repromote)

Nocturnals Lipgloss/Pink

•Fashion Scoop – Clear pink (Cremesheen Glass) (Permanent) •Colour Saturation – Dark cool wine creme (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Petite Indulgence – Bright blue-pink (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Dressed to Dazzle – Pink tinted with silver sparkle (Dazzleglass) (Repromote)

Nocturnals Lipgloss/Coral

•On the Scene – Pink with pink and white pearl (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Star Quality – Bright orange coral (Cremesheen Glass) (Repromote) •Night is Young – Bright red cream (Cremesheen Glass) •Moth to Flame – Sheer neutral beige with violet pearl (Dazzleglass) (Repromote)

Nocturnals Pigments & Glitter/Silver and Violet

•Kitschmas – Shimmering pink mauve pearl (Frost) (Pigment) (Permanent)•Vanilla – Soft ivory white (Frost) (Pigment) (Permanent) •Push the Edge – Deep bright purple with pearl (Frost) (Repromote) •Pink – Bright pink (Glitter) •Grey – Sparkly chunky grey (Glitter)

Nocturnals Pigments & Glitter/Green and Teal

•Just Before Dawn – Warm taupe frost (Frost) (Pigment) •Deep Blue Green – Rich deep bluish green (Frost) (Pigment) (Permanent) •Old Gold – High frosted tarnish gold (Frost) (Pigment) (Permanent) •3D Gold – Sparkly chunky gold (Glitter) •Reflects Gold – White glitter that flashes gold (Glitter)

Nocturnals Pigments & Glitter/Black and Gold

•Naked – Fleshy beige with pearl (Matte) (Pigment) (Permanent) •Museum Bronze – Rich taupe with gold pearl (Frost) (Pigment) (Repromote) •Copper Sparkle – Super frosty copper flecks (Frost) (Pigment) (Permanent) •Gold – Sparkly chunky gold (Glitter) •Black – Sparkly chunky black (Glitter)

Nocturnals/Tastitints

•Mintessence – Milky white •Sugared Vanilla – Creamy light soft beige •Taste of Paradise – Poppy pink •Dash of Lavender – Mauve

MAC Divine Night Holiday Collection is online in the US and the UK now.  The full collection will be in store from 7th November. See anything you like?

What's inside Glossybox October 2013?

I'm sad to say that this is one of the worst Glossyboxes I've EVER received. Cheap, nasty and tight (one product is missing) that's how I'd sum it up! The "Dark Romance" themed box is designed to get you in the mood for Halloween and bring out your inner vixen... other than the Cheek & Lip Tint, I'm not feeling the connection! Anyway, this is what I got... make your own mind up.

Premae Multi-Vit Smoothie Serum 20ml sample worth £9

Serum's are an important part of my skincare regime so I'm never disappointed to see one and this one is allergen-free, sounds good.

Monu Illuminating Primer 20ml sample worth £9.98

Okay, illuminating primer sounds good but Glossybox, enough of Monu already! You've literally sent me every Monu product in existence - moisturiser, face mask, eye gel, body cream etc. They've all been decent products, but nothing I've wanted to repurchase.

Me Me Me Cherub's Blush Cheek and Lip Tint Full Size £5.50/12ml
Me Me Me, another of Glossyboxes regular brands, and one that I find a bit cheap if I'm honest. Some people would be really happy with this product, but I'm not a fan of lip/cheek tints and this one's very transparent. Vixen? I don't think so. Another product for my little sister I think.

Eva Cosmetics Mystic Diamond Argonoil 6ml sample worth £1.36
A brand I've never heard of and a really tight sample size if you ask me. It's for the hair right? I'll be lucky to get a full application out of this one.

Katy Perry Killer Queen Fragrance 1.5ml sample

I'd love to tell you this perfume is as "floriental" as it claims to be, sadly Glossybox have sent me an empty cardboard sleeve, so I can't.

I really hope you don't think I'm just being a fussy customer but given that I've been with Glossybox from the start, I think I'm qualified to diss it and this month, it's a big thumbs down. Here's hoping next month will be back to its Glossy best.

Find out how to subscribe to Glossybox or buy one off boxes here. Anyone else get the same as me?